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Chris Grayling blames unions for rail fare hike | Chris Grayling blames unions for rail fare hike |
(7 days later) | |
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has accused trade unions of driving the 3.1% increase in rail fares. | Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has accused trade unions of driving the 3.1% increase in rail fares. |
Mr Grayling told the BBC unions had demanded "higher pay rises than anyone else" and threatened strikes if they did not get them. | Mr Grayling told the BBC unions had demanded "higher pay rises than anyone else" and threatened strikes if they did not get them. |
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union said it was "scandalous" that Mr Grayling was trying to blame workers. | The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union said it was "scandalous" that Mr Grayling was trying to blame workers. |
Rail fares have increased by an average of almost 3% in Scotland and 3.1% in England and Wales. | Rail fares have increased by an average of almost 3% in Scotland and 3.1% in England and Wales. |
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called the increase a "disgrace" and said it "drives people away from public transport". | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called the increase a "disgrace" and said it "drives people away from public transport". |
Mr Grayling told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The reality is the fare increases are higher than they should be because the unions demand - with threats of national rail strikes if they don't get them - higher pay rises than anybody else." | Mr Grayling told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The reality is the fare increases are higher than they should be because the unions demand - with threats of national rail strikes if they don't get them - higher pay rises than anybody else." |
In August, the government asked the train operators and unions to use a different, lower, inflation measure to set pay and fare increases - which the RMT opposed. | In August, the government asked the train operators and unions to use a different, lower, inflation measure to set pay and fare increases - which the RMT opposed. |
Mick Cash, general secretary of RMT, accused Mr Grayling of trying to blame rail workers for problems "caused by privatisation of the railways". | Mick Cash, general secretary of RMT, accused Mr Grayling of trying to blame rail workers for problems "caused by privatisation of the railways". |
Mr Grayling also said that the government had made a "record investment" in rail. | Mr Grayling also said that the government had made a "record investment" in rail. |
He announced that a new railcard extending child fares to 16 and 17-year-olds in full-time education or training will be available by September. | He announced that a new railcard extending child fares to 16 and 17-year-olds in full-time education or training will be available by September. |
A discount railcard for 26 to 30-year-olds went on sale at 12:00 GMT. Like the existing card for 16 to 25-year-olds, it costs £30 and reduces fares by a third. | A discount railcard for 26 to 30-year-olds went on sale at 12:00 GMT. Like the existing card for 16 to 25-year-olds, it costs £30 and reduces fares by a third. |
Initial demand for the new railcard was high - National Rail's online queuing system showed wait times of more than an hour. | Initial demand for the new railcard was high - National Rail's online queuing system showed wait times of more than an hour. |
The rise in England and Wales - the highest since January 2013 - will see the price of some annual season tickets go up by more than £100. | The rise in England and Wales - the highest since January 2013 - will see the price of some annual season tickets go up by more than £100. |
Some fares in London will stay the same after a decision by Mayor Sadiq Khan to freeze Transport for London prices. However, on average Travelcards and price caps have increased by 3.1% in London. | Some fares in London will stay the same after a decision by Mayor Sadiq Khan to freeze Transport for London prices. However, on average Travelcards and price caps have increased by 3.1% in London. |
The rail industry says 98p of every pound spent on a ticket goes back into running and maintaining the railway. | |
But Wednesday's price hike was called "yet another kick in the wallet" by campaign group Railfuture. | But Wednesday's price hike was called "yet another kick in the wallet" by campaign group Railfuture. |
Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said the latest increases were "an affront to everyone who has had to endure years of chaos on Britain's railways". | Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said the latest increases were "an affront to everyone who has had to endure years of chaos on Britain's railways". |
He also called on the government to freeze fares on the "worst performing" routes. | He also called on the government to freeze fares on the "worst performing" routes. |
Campaigners held protests against rises outside stations across the country. | Campaigners held protests against rises outside stations across the country. |
Analysis from the Labour Party of more than 180 UK routes claimed that since the Conservatives came into power in 2010, the average commuter is paying £786 more for their annual season ticket. | Analysis from the Labour Party of more than 180 UK routes claimed that since the Conservatives came into power in 2010, the average commuter is paying £786 more for their annual season ticket. |
The increases come despite one in seven trains being delayed by at least five minutes in the past 12 months - the network's worst performance since September 2005, according to the Press Association. | The increases come despite one in seven trains being delayed by at least five minutes in the past 12 months - the network's worst performance since September 2005, according to the Press Association. |
Chaos caused by new timetables from Northern and Govia Thameslink added to problems of extreme weather, strikes and signal failures hitting routes across the country. | Chaos caused by new timetables from Northern and Govia Thameslink added to problems of extreme weather, strikes and signal failures hitting routes across the country. |
Around 45% of fares are regulated by government, and capped at July's retail price index inflation figure - 3.2%. | Around 45% of fares are regulated by government, and capped at July's retail price index inflation figure - 3.2%. |
Other increases are decided by the train companies. | Other increases are decided by the train companies. |
'Value for money?' | 'Value for money?' |
ScotRail defended its average increase of 2.8%, despite breaching performance targets with cancellations throughout November and December. | ScotRail defended its average increase of 2.8%, despite breaching performance targets with cancellations throughout November and December. |
The company said its fare rises were lower than in England and Wales, adding that it was investing "millions of pounds to build the best railway Scotland has ever had". | The company said its fare rises were lower than in England and Wales, adding that it was investing "millions of pounds to build the best railway Scotland has ever had". |
Robert Nisbet, regional director of industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said investment was at its highest level since the Victorian era and "that money has to come from somewhere". | Robert Nisbet, regional director of industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said investment was at its highest level since the Victorian era and "that money has to come from somewhere". |
He said by 2021 there would be 7,000 new carriages across the country and 6,400 new services. | He said by 2021 there would be 7,000 new carriages across the country and 6,400 new services. |
The UK's railways are predominantly funded by customers' fares: last year's figures from the Office of Rail and Road show they yield £9.7bn, while the government provides £6.4bn - excluding loans from Network Rail. | The UK's railways are predominantly funded by customers' fares: last year's figures from the Office of Rail and Road show they yield £9.7bn, while the government provides £6.4bn - excluding loans from Network Rail. |
However, almost a third of the government funding was given specifically to the HS2 high-speed rail project. | However, almost a third of the government funding was given specifically to the HS2 high-speed rail project. |
Campaign group Transport Focus said only 45% of passengers were satisfied with the value for money of their tickets. | Campaign group Transport Focus said only 45% of passengers were satisfied with the value for money of their tickets. |
Chief executive Anthony Smith told the BBC: "The industry should be becoming more efficient and that efficiency should be passed back to passengers to reflect a poor year." | Chief executive Anthony Smith told the BBC: "The industry should be becoming more efficient and that efficiency should be passed back to passengers to reflect a poor year." |
The Department for Transport has commissioned former British Airways chief executive Keith Williams to carry out a review of Britain's railway network - including fares. | The Department for Transport has commissioned former British Airways chief executive Keith Williams to carry out a review of Britain's railway network - including fares. |